Looking for info on this sword.

[dez]

Hi all, I am looking for more info on this sword. I collect swords but this is my first Japanese sword so I am new to this community. The guy I brought it off had it validated by a sword specialist and that's where the tag with information is from. I'm just looking for a second input. Someone from reddit told me to post here so here goes. Thankyou.

[SteveM]

The sword should be pointing with the tip up. (Otherwise the signature is upside-down). 

 

越前住日向守藤原貞次

The translation is mostly correct: Echizen-jū Hyuga-no-kami Fujiwara Sadatsugu

 

日向 can also be pronounced "hinata" in some cases, but in this case it is a certain location, pronounced Hyuga.

 

There are no less than three smiths who signed using this name and title. I don't know which one signed this. Could also be a forgery, as forgeries are very common in the world of Japanese swords. More pictures of the sword might help. The fittings are a hodgepodge of antique, samurai-style fittings, and a wartime leather scabbard: interesting, but not nearly as interesting as the sword itself will be. 

[ROKUJURO]

James,

welcome to the NMB forum!

In case you want to post more photos for clarification, and to get the best support from the experts, it would help to post pictures of the NAKAGO (tang)

-  tip pointing upwards so we can read without breaking the neck

-  always directly from above

-  with light from the side

-  well focused

-  against a dark background.